THE RAINMAKERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9015, 23 August 1907, Page 3

THE RAINMAKERS.

* THE EXPERIMENTS IN NOETH OTAGO. [From Oub Correspondent.] OAMARU, August 23. A leaden sky and , an. atmosphere " saturated with moisture," to use a term much prized by meteorologists, were yesterday viewed by the Raininaking Committee as representing conditions favourable to the carrying out of their experiments in inducing rain. They therefore hied away to the country upon explosions bent. It had been originally determined to make the experiments at four widely separated "stations, but the number was reduced to three, the fourth being abandoned owing to its close proximity to the Papakaio coalpit. The places selected were the round hill on th& Totara Settlement, Rahi Tables, near Ngapara, and an elevation in the vicinity of Duntroon, and at each of these a number of explosions took place during the afternoon. Round Hill was deemed of too unstable a character to withstand the force of powerful explosives, and, consequently, the four ehote fired there were limited to fifty-pound charges of gunootton and dynamite. This limitation, as the sequel showed, was a wise precaution, for the hill, which is largely composed of loose boulders, received a great shaking at each explosion. As to the effect upon the "saturated atmosphere" the most that can be said is that whereas no rain had fallen prior to the explosions, a steady drizzle set in later on. At the central station, on Rahi Table, about twelve miles distant from Round Hills, the "bombs" were of a much more powerful character. Altogether six explosions were discharged, the first at 3.45 p.m. Three charges of 1001 b each of mixed gunootton and dynamite were followed by one of 2001 b similarly composed, then two 251 b kegs of powder were exploded together, and, by way of conclusion, 1501 b of dynamite were discharged. The vibrations, especially that of the final shot, were most pronounced, and the noise echoed and re-echoed through the surrounding hills. The experiments here were complete, and the results must be accepted as conclusive. Inere were spits of rain all the time, but nothing of note. This was the central point, and from here the conditions prevailing at the other stations were observed. The Rev D. 0. JBatec, Government Meteorologist, was at this station noting results, and was attended by a photographer, who obtained a number of plates. As this was the main point of observation, some details of the prevailing conditions may be given. The hygrometer showed that the air was almost saturated with moisture. A light northwesterly wind was blowing, but the smoke hung low, and the atmospbe/T, was heavy. Stratus clouds were lying low, but plainly defined. Underneath, it was quite evident that these were not disturbed by the explosions, and those present were forced to the conclusion that as a means of inducing rain, air concussion by the methods employed are not productive of the results looked for by the enthusiasts. No rain followed the explosions, and the results were in accord with the opinions previously expressed by the Rev D. C. Bates, who has been sceptical throughout. Three charges, each of 1001 b of mixed guncotton and dynamite, were exploded at Duntroon, the first at 3.45 p.m. and the last at 4.15. Up to that time no rain had fallen, though rain was apparently impending. Light rain, however, set in at about 4.30, and at latest advices was still falling. How far, if at all, the rain was due to the explosions it is not within my power to say. All that I can chronicle with any certainty is that members of the committee seeni well satisfied ivith their work. It may be well to mention that there was nothing in the way of bombarding the clouds, all the explosions being on the ground. The experts, with Corporal Meikle at their head, have worked like Trojans, and to them the committee is greatly indebted for indispensable help.